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As the news of Maneka Gandhi quitting 1, Safdarjung Road spread like wildfire in the press (AIR and Doordarshan maintained total silence - thanks presumably to 'freedom of the Government media') India Today commissioned Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRA) to conduct a poll in six cities to find out how people have reacted to the internecine quarrel that has shaken the prime minister's household. On April 2, a total of 2,292 interviews were conducted in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Bangalore and Trivandrum. The results of the poll:

Awareness of the 'Problem'

In all cities except Madras, over 80 per cent had heard of the problems that Maneka and her saas have been having. In Madras also, while over 80 per cent of the men were aware of the problems, only 45 per cent of the women had heard of the fracas. Those who had heard of the problems were further questioned on some specific aspects.

Should Maneka have attended the Lucknow convention?

Both the Congress(I) and Mrs Gandhi had disapproved of the convention - yet Maneka attended it. On balance, electors in Delhi, Bombay, Madras and Bangalore felt that Maneka was right to attend the convention. Disapproval of her actions was surprisingly voiced in the Marxist strongholds of Calcutta and Trivandrum.

In the circumstances should Maneka have been asked to leave 1, Safdarjung Road?

In every city except Trivandrum, more electors opposed Mrs Gandhi's action (in giving Maneka the marching orders if she did not change her ways) than supported her. The level of disapproval of Mrs Gandhi's action was greater among women (particularly in Delhi, Bombay and Madras) than among men.

Did the Lucknow convention have any political significance?

In all cities, there was a clear feeling that Maneka's action in attending the Lucknow convention had political significance. This view was held more strongly in Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi than elsewhere.

Is this the beginning of the Rajiv vs Maneka battle?

Opinions varied across cities. Electors in Bombay, Calcutta and Trivandrum felt, on balance, that behind the current issue lay the Maneka vs Rajiv tussle. Electors in Delhi (who are closer to the scene of action) held the opposite view. In Madras and Bangalore, views were fairly evenly divided.

How is Rajiv doing as a politician?

All respondents were asked whether they felt Rajiv was doing well or badly as a politician. It is perhaps a sign of Rajiv's low profile that over 40 per cent of the electors in Calcutta, Madras and Trivandrum were unable to venture an opinion. The 'no view' proportion was, in general, higher among women (and particularly so in Calcutta and Madras).

In Calcutta and Bangalore the balance of opinion suggests that Rajiv is not doing well. In Delhi and Trivandrum, on the other hand, the balance is in his favour. In Bombay and Madras, opinion is fairly evenly divided.

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